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Ann Keen appointed PUS

The MP for Brentford and Isleworth has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Health. First of all, I would like to congratulate Mrs Keen on this appointment who has a former nurse has always taken a keen interest in the NHS. Heaven knows the NHS is in such a mess that the appointment of someone with Mrs Keen's experience should be a positive development.This is a junior paid sub-ministerial position whuch will involve her working under Alan Johnson, the new Secretary of State for Health who replaced the much criticised Patricia Hewitt MP. It will of course mean that she will have less time to represent and work in her constituency.Given Mrs Keen's poor record as an MP, is this a good or a bad thing for her constituency ?

David Giles ● 6545d6 Comments

But is it a good thing or a bad thing for the constituency now that Mrs Keen has become a PUS ?Does anyone think it is a good thing ?Are there any Labour supporters or Keenies out there ?

David Giles ● 6541d

"Strange to see how luttle interest this appointment has sparked in Brentford" !Why should we be interested at all, when she has distanced herself from the council, because she disapproves of a democratically elected councillor? And just in passing, the Labour coucillors who abstained during the election of the deputy mayor, without having the bottle/guts to say why, just about sums up this lot!You lost the battle...........get over it!

Account suspended ● 6541d

"Strange to see how luttle interest this appointment has sparked in Brentford !"I think that possibly most residents have simply lost interest in Ann K££n full-stop David as I am sure she is well aware.

Paul Fisher ● 6541d

Strange to see how luttle interest this appointment has sparked in Brentford !

David Giles ● 6541d

Andrew,These are very valid points.Ann Keen has in general acted as the Labour Government's representative in Hounslow for the past 10 years rather than Hounslow's representative in or to Government.I hope that Hounslow Council and the Hounslow PCT make a joint approach to the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, to secure an equitable settlement for the PCT.When that approach is made, it will be interesting to see if Mrs Keen supports her constituents or her Government.

David Giles ● 6544d

Ms Keen seemingly did little to help address the huge debt burden Hounslow PCT is under (c£20m) whilst she had the ear of Gordon as his PPS.  Given this I can't say I'm optimistic things will get better for us with her move to the Department for Health.Will Ms Keen now be seeking back payments for Hounslow PCT from the Treasury following the Office of National Statistics' shift in position regarding Hounslow's population (still underestimated I suspect)?Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6545d